Plumber Salary

Houston vs New Braunfels: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Houston, TX and New Braunfels, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$62,845
$30.21/hr
New Braunfels, TX
$60,164
$28.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXNew Braunfels, TX
Median Salary$62,845$60,164
Hourly Rate$30.21$28.92
Entry Level (P10)$40,926$40,036
25th Percentile$50,501$45,865
75th Percentile$77,587$77,010
Top Earner (P90)$87,839$93,254
Total Employed10,98015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($62,845) and New Braunfels ($60,164) plumber salaries.HoustonNew BraunfelsMedian Salary$62,845$60,164Entry Level (P10)$40,926$40,036Top Earner (P90)$87,839$93,254US Median $65,408

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to New Braunfels.

The salary gap between Houston and New Braunfels is $2,681 (4.46%). Houston's median is -3.92% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $46,913,New Braunfels spans $53,218. New Braunfels has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$40,926
P25$50,501
Median$62,845
P75$77,587
P90 (Top)$87,839
New Braunfels
P10 (Entry)$40,036
P25$45,865
Median$60,164
P75$77,010
P90 (Top)$93,254

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($63,719 effective) pays 1.67% more than New Braunfels ($62,671 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $62,845
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $63,719
New Braunfels
Nominal: $60,164
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $62,671

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,845/year)
  • Larger job market (10,980 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,719)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose New Braunfels if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($93,254)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Houston grew 9.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.5% growth in New Braunfels over the same period.

Houston, TX

+9.5%

$55,990 (2019) → $61,300 (2025)

New Braunfels, TX

+5.5%

$55,602 (2024) → $58,685 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Houston or New Braunfels?

Houston has a higher median plumber salary at $62,845/year, compared to New Braunfels at $60,164/year — a difference of $2,681 (4.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and New Braunfels?

Houston plumbers earn $30.21/hr while New Braunfels hygienists earn $28.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to New Braunfels as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and New Braunfels. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $63,719, New Braunfels = $62,671), job availability (10,980 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Houston vs New Braunfels?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $40,926 in Houston and $40,036 in New Braunfels. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Samuel Torres, CWP

Career Analyst

Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, CWPData verified by Michael Chen, CWP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.52% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov